Novel Kicks Writing Room: Rising Action
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.
These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.
Task 3: Rising Action
Building on the work you’ve already done from the previous two weeks, the purpose of this task is to complicate the situation. Raise stakes. Create obstacles.
When you’re thinking about the rising action, consider the following –
- What does your protagonist do in response to the inciting incident?
- What goes wrong with their first attempt?
- Who or what opposes them?
- What new information complicates the situation?
by 
Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Door
Welcome to Fiction Friday, our weekly flash fiction challenge.
Here’s how it works:
Set a timer for five minutes and start writing
Keep going for as long as you can once the timer goes off
No editing allowed—raw writing only
When you’re finished, feel free to share in the comments (but there’s no pressure)
Today’s prompt – The Door
Every morning, a new door appears in your home. It’s never in the same place twice, and it’s always locked.
Today, you notice it’s slightly ajar—and you can hear your own voice coming from inside, having a conversation with someone you can’t quite make out.
Your hand reaches for the handle.
What are you about to discover?
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Plot Challenge – Inciting Incident
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.
These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.
Task 2: Inciting Incident
Take your time with this. Aim to write between 500-750 words.
The purpose of this task is to disrupt your protagonist’s normal world and force them into the story.
Key questions to answer:
- What is the “before”? Show us normal life.
- What event breaks the normal life?
- Why can’t your protagonist ignore it?
- What question does this raise in the reader’s mind?
Write a scene (or brief sequence) that presents the disruption. End with your protagonist committed to action—whether they want to be or not.
Whilst writing, consider:
- Have I shown the protagonist’s world before disruption?
- Is the inciting incident clear and unavoidable?
- Would a reader want to know what happens next?
Have some fun with this. I’d love to know how you got on in the comments.
Click here to view task one – story conception.
by Book Review: The Sunshine Teashop By Jaimie Admans
I am so incredibly pleased to be welcoming Jaimie Admans to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her new books, The Sunshine Teashop.
Dolly Lymford is having one of those days… 🧁🫖
The kind that starts with dreams of opening a café… and ends with discovering your boyfriend kissing your best friend!
Heartbroken and with nowhere else to go, Dolly accidentally-on-purpose borrows her now-ex-boyfriend’s campervan and drives until the road runs out. This leads her to Thimblenouth, a picture-perfect Yorkshire Dales village where life moves more slowly and the kettle is always on.
After literally bumping into gorgeous local builder Reece Sterling, Dolly begins to feel something she hasn’t in a long time: safe. She also rediscovers her love of baking, filling the campervan with the scent of warm scones and freshly brewed tea. And Reece is always around to share a lemon pie or two…
When Dolly has an idea to open her own pop-up café, Reece is all too happy to help. And as the summer sun begins to warm everything it touches, Dolly wonders if she’s finally found a place to call home… maybe even with Reece.
But can she really build a future on borrowed wheels?
Novel A warm, uplifting story of fresh starts, village kindness, and finding love where you least expect it — best enjoyed with tea and cake.🍰
*****
Dolly is about to embark on a new business venture. Although she’s scared, she’s also excited. However, when a betrayal forces her to flee with the help of a neon green campervan, she doesn’t know what to do next. When she arrives in North Yorkshire, she begins to feel like she’s come home. The path to happiness doesn’t run smooth though and soon Dolly will have to make a choice – face her fears and move on or continue hiding.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Last Conversation
Welcome to Fiction Friday, our weekly flash fiction challenge.
Here’s how it works:
Set a timer for five minutes and start writing
Keep going for as long as you can once the timer goes off
No editing allowed—raw writing only
When you’re finished, feel free to share in the comments (but there’s no pressure)
This Week’s Prompt: The Last Conversation.
You discover an old voicemail on your phone from someone you haven’t heard from in years. The timestamp doesn’t match any phone records you can find. When you listen to it, they’re apologizing for something—something only you would understand—but they sound like they’re speaking from somewhere very far away, or very long ago.
You have 48 hours before the message automatically deletes forever.
What do you do? And more importantly… who was really on the other end?
Remember: There are no rules except one—don’t stop to edit. Let the words flow. Your goal is momentum, not perfection.
Happy writing. See you in the comments.
by Book Club
